Bhumika Shrestha’s journey to becoming Nepal’s first transgender woman Member of Parliament is rooted in years of activism, resilience, and advocacy for equal rights.
Born in Kathmandu, Shrestha began her involvement in activism at a young age. As a teenager, she connected with the Blue Diamond Society, one of Nepal’s leading organisations working for sexual and gender minorities. This marked the beginning of her commitment to advancing LGBTQ+ rights.
Throughout the early 2000s and 2010s, she emerged as a strong and vocal advocate for dignity, legal recognition, and social acceptance of transgender individuals. She actively contributed to campaigns that pushed for the recognition of a “third gender” category in Nepal, a movement that led to a landmark 2007 Supreme Court decision acknowledging gender diversity.
Over the years, Shrestha continued her work through awareness campaigns, community outreach, and international representation. In 2015, she achieved a major personal milestone by officially changing her gender identity in government documents, reflecting both personal courage and progress in legal recognition.
Her efforts gained global recognition when she was honoured with the International Women of Courage Award in 2022, highlighting her leadership in promoting equality and inclusion.
Transitioning from activism to politics, Shrestha entered electoral politics in 2026. Representing the Rastriya Swatantra Party, she was elected under the proportional representation system, making history as Nepal’s first transgender lawmaker.
